• The portal is currently open for districts to order exams for 2017 (3-8 math/ELA and Science 4/8).
• Districts must make choices of CBT/PBT by Friday, December 16. Districts will also be able to indicate whether they want the field test (if selected) completed by paper or computer-based.
• If schools select CBT for operation testing they must complete the Technology Readiness Checklist.
• The new CBT Question Sampler is now available too. If you are considering CBT it is strongly encouraged you have your 3-8 teachers go through the sampler at a meeting. Then, if you are going to do CBT, have the students go onto the site.
• As previously shared, Computer Based Testing means Computer Based Scoring.

• Updated 2017 Elementary- and Intermediate-Level Exam Schedule.  
  • The updated schedule allows one extra school day for the primary administration of computer-based testing and additional days for the scoring of the ELA and Mathematics Tests
• NYSED's online examination request system is now available for Grades 3-8 ELA and math; and Grades 4 & 8 science quantities. 
• Questions may be directed to the Office of State Assessment, at 518-474-5902, or emscassessinfo@nysed.gov.

District and Public School BEDS Online – IMF Forms

• Reminder that BEDS Institutional Master File (IMF) online forms for your district /schools are due by Friday, November 18, 2016.
• Please check the status of your BEDS - IMF Online form(s) on the Web using the NYSED Business Portal and if necessary complete, certify and submit them.
• Directions for completing the BEDS –IMF online forms (as well as reporting timelines and other informational documents) can be found on NYSED's Office of Information and Reporting Services website.
• If have questions, or if you are having problems accessing or using the online BEDS application, please call the Office of Information and Reporting Services at 518-474-7965.

Social Studies Regents Transition

• Questions have emerged about the Transition Timeline for the Regents Examination in Global History and Geography. 
• FAQ Regarding the transition can be downloaded here.

• Two Instructional Rounds visits were recently completed. Both the schools and the participants indicated great learning as a result.  
• Teachers indcated they appreciated seeing and discussing levels of student cognitive engagement, types of tasks, levels of tasks and questioning, and other topics that they reported would be immediately useful to them and their students’ learning.  
• On December 1 another Instructional Rounds Overview training will be held. This training is a prerequisite to attending a school visit.  
• Additionally, Instructional Rounds Overview training will soon be available via after school webinars.
• Upcoming visits:  
  • Massena High School – January 12
  • Gouverneur Middle School – March 14

• REMINDER: New York State is looking for nominations of outstanding mathematics and science (including computer science) teachers that spark students’ imaginations in STEM education through innovative teaching and learning.
  • The nomination period is now open and will close April 1, 2017. The deadline to submit an application is May 1, 2017. For more information about the PAEMST program visit the New York State’s Education Department’s website.
  • Nominate an outstanding mathematics or science (including computer science) teacher today.
  • PAEMST NYSED Coordinators:
    • Math: Sue Brockley
    • Science: Ann Crotty

• Project Fibonacci® STEAM Conference Nominations are now being accepted.
• To be eligible, your nominee(s) must:
  • be entering their junior year of high school through senior year of college/university for the 2016-17 school year
  • have demonstrated (or show the potential for) leadership skills and an aptitude or interest in STEAM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math)
  • Download the nomination form here.

Model Schools Presents:

Leading Innovative Change in Your District-- with Dr. Robert Dillon
Nov. 18, 2016 8:00AM-3:00PM

Dr. Dillon presented to district superintendents, administration, and faculty at Clarkson University on Aug. 8, 2016.  He is returning, at the request of those who attended, to work with district teams on the topics he presented.  His  description of the day is below:

This professional learning will be designed to help district teams to consider a number of areas that can lead to innovative changes in their schools.  The day will feature four segments of learning and planning.

The overall design will include time and space for district team to engage in essential conversations and build action plans

Please register in the Professional Growth Portal. Individual cost is $150, district teams $300.